By Francis Taylor, SBBJ Executive Editor
September is Healthy Aging Month, the annual observance month focusing national attention on the positive aspects of growing older, particularly among adults ages 50 plus. The aim is to encourage everyone to take personal responsibility for his or her health. September 2023 is also a very personal month for me because, as a member of the 50-plus community, I was hospitalized so that my aneurism, which my doctor had been monitoring for years, could be surgically repaired before it erupted causing serious injury and possibly even death. It was time for surgical repair.
My doctor explained that my 50-plus years of smoking probably contributed significantly to the development of my aneurism and my clogged arteries. The three days in the hospital were a serious wake-up call for me. It forced me to consider the positive sides of growing older instead of avoiding that reality and not ever talking about growing older. With my recent experience, my focus is now loud and clear and there are many ways I intend to maintain a healthy lifestyle as I look forward to being a part of my grandchildren’s lives in the years to come.
Deciding to approach a healthy lifestyle has nothing to do with age. I wish I had made that decision years ago, by doing all of the things that we know we should and should not do: eating all of the correct foods, limiting my consumption of harmful beverages and getting the correct amount of exercise. I intend to use the month of September and my hospital visit to take stock of where I have been and what I intend to do, dramatically differently than I have done before. I vow, and I urge you to join me in improving physically, socially, and mentally. Let’s get started with small steps.
Cut back on salt. A diet rich in sodium is linked to High blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack- all great reasons to not to over-salt your food. Adding more fiber can help lower cholesterol, control your blood sugar as well as helping maintain good digestive health. Limiting fatty foods and red meat and increasing your consumption of water is also a good idea.
Physical activity will be my weapon to help control blood pressure, help prevent further heart disease and stroke and possibly lower my risk of depression, anxiety and conditions like certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. I plan to walk nine holes of golf five days per week and swim 20 laps two times per week. Choose something that you enjoy so you can keep it up.
Moderate, regular exercise is also on my list of health lifestyle changes. Current national recommendations are 150 minutes of moderate -intensity physical activity per week and two days of muscle-strengthening. That is only 20 minutes per day, seven days a week or around an hour a day – three days a week.
Find a social outlet by volunteering your time and expertise for example. If you redirect your focus from yourself to others, it is an excellent way to bring happiness into your life. From your church or local hospital to the United Way or the American Red Cross, there are volunteer opportunities everywhere.
Join me in renewing your lifestyle goals. September 2023 is the perfect time and remember, it is never too late.
